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Launchpad LA is a startup accelerator in Santa Monica, CA.

We offer each accepted company a $25k – $100k investment, free office space in the heart of Santa Monica (one block from the beach) for four months, a ton of perks and discounts, and most importantly, access to a massive network of mentors, advisors, and investors.

In 2012, Launchpad LA invested in 18 companies, 17 of which raised outside capital – over $35 million combined. Launchpad LA is ranked the #5 accelerator in the United States by Forbes, has the highest median funding rate of any accelerator in the world according to Seed-DB, and is described by PandoDaily as “the top accelerator in Southern California.”

Launchpad LA was founded as a mentorship organization in 2009 with the goal of helping talented local entrepreneurs build relationships, get funded, and grow while remaining in Southern California. Launchpad LA began as a collaboration among the area’s top VCs with a shared interest in seeing a robust tech community continue to grow and thrive in Los Angeles.

From 2009 to 2011, we accepted 23 companies into the mentorship program. The program at that time did not invest in companies, take equity, or have an official office space, but featured regular events and dinners to support the participating companies. Of those 23 companies, 19 received outside funding, and 9 have been acquired to date. In total, the 19 companies that went through the mentorship program raised over $80 million. Their combined exits exceed $60 million.

In late 2011, inspired by the growing market opportunity in LA and the success of Classes 1 and 2, the Launchpad LA team decided to raise a fund, open an office, and grow into a full-blown accelerator in the model of TechStars or Y-Combinator. Sam Teller, an LA native and local entrepreneur/angel investor, joined as Managing Director, and several firms participated in the investment including Rincon Ventures, Idealab, Baroda Ventures, GRP Partners, David Cohen (founder of TechStars), David Tisch (founder of TechStars NY), DLA Piper, and Stubbs Alderton. In early 2013, LA native and local entrepreneur Jamie Kantrowitz joined as a partner.